Piezoelectric based energy supply using independent piezoelectric components

ABSTRACT

A piezoelectric based energy supply includes a multiplicity of mechanical actuators able to be displaced through operation by an operator from a first position and a second position. A multiplicity of independent piezoelectric components is disposed below the multiplicity of actuators. Each independent piezoelectric component within the multiplicity of independent piezoelectric components is associated with at least one respective actuator in the multiplicity of actuators and is adapted to be deformed by displacement of the at least one respective actuator within the plurality of actuators from a first position and a second position. An electrical coupler electrically couples each of the multiplicity of independent piezoelectric components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority from priorU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/557,122 filed on Sep. 10, 2009, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,288,923; the entire disclosure is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of energy supplies,and more particularly relates to energy supplies incorporatingpiezoelectric components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Energy supplies such as rechargeable batteries are in many instances theAchilles heel of electronic devices. Many current energy supplies have alimited lifespan or cannot provide sufficient power for long durationsof time. Most conventional energy supplies also require an externalenergy source to recharge. Therefore, the electronic device is unusableif the energy supply is depleted and an external energy source such as apower outlet is unavailable to recharge the energy supply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a piezoelectric based energy supply is disclosed. Thepiezoelectric based energy supply comprises a plurality of mechanicalactuators able to be displaced through operation by an operator from afirst position and a second position. A plurality of independentpiezoelectric components is disposed below the plurality of actuators.Each independent piezoelectric component within the plurality ofindependent piezoelectric components is associated with at least onerespective actuator in the plurality of actuators and adapted to bedeformed by displacement of the at least one respective actuator withinthe plurality of actuators from a first position and a second position.An electrical coupler electrically couples each of the plurality ofindependent piezoelectric components.

In another embodiment, a method of piezoelectric energy generation isdisclosed. The method comprises providing a plurality of mechanicalactuators able to be displaced through operation by an operator from afirst position and a second position. A plurality of independentpiezoelectric components disposed below the plurality of actuators isprovided. Each independent piezoelectric component within the pluralityof independent piezoelectric components being associated with at leastone respective actuator in the plurality of actuators and adapted to bedeformed by displacement of the at least one respective actuator withinthe plurality of actuators from a first position and a second position.An electrical coupler that electrically couples each of the plurality ofindependent piezoelectric components is provided. At least one actuatoris displaced so as to deform a respective independent piezoelectriccomponent associated with the at least one actuator.

In yet another embodiment, a piezoelectric based energy supply isdisclosed. The piezoelectric based energy supply comprises a pluralityof mechanical actuators that re able to be displaced through operationby an operator from a first position and a second position. A firstplurality of independent piezoelectric components is disposed below theplurality of actuators. A second plurality of independent piezoelectriccomponents is disposed below the first plurality of independentpiezoelectric components. Each independent piezoelectric componentwithin the first plurality of independent piezoelectric components isassociated with at least one respective actuator in the plurality ofactuators. Each independent piezoelectric component within the firstplurality of independent piezoelectric components is adapted to bedeformed by displacement of the at least one respective actuator withinthe plurality of actuators from a first position and a second position.

Each independent piezoelectric component within the second plurality ofindependent piezoelectric components is associated with at least onerespective piezoelectric component in the first plurality of independentpiezoelectric components. Each independent piezoelectric componentwithin the second plurality of independent piezoelectric components isadapted to be deformed by the at least one respective piezoelectric whenthe at least one respective piezoelectric is deformed by displacement ofthe at least one respective actuator within the plurality of actuatorsfrom a first position and a second position. A first electrical couplerelectrically couples each of the plurality of independent piezoelectriccomponents. A second electrical coupler electrically couples each of theplurality of independent piezoelectric components to each other and tothe first plurality of piezoelectric components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, and which together with the detailed description below areincorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to furtherillustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles andadvantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a piezoelectric based energysupply according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of another piezoelectric basedenergy supply according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of yet another piezoelectric basedenergy supply according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely examples of the invention, which can be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases usedherein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide anunderstandable description of the invention. Additionally, the inventionshall have the full scope of the claims and shall not be limited by theembodiments shown below.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more thantwo. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are definedas comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein,is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and notnecessarily mechanically. It is further understood that the use ofrelational terms, if any, such as first, second, top and bottom, frontand rear, and the like are used solely for distinguishing one entity oraction from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any suchactual relationship or order between such entities or actions.

According to one embodiment of the present invention a planar view of anelectronic circuit 100 comprising a piezoelectric based energy supply isshown in FIG. 1. As discussed above, traditional energy supplies such asrechargeable batteries require an external energy source such as a poweroutlet to recharge. The various embodiments of the present invention, onthe other hand, implement piezoelectric components that generate energyin response to, for example, a user's mechanical interactions with thepiezoelectric components. The various embodiments of the presentinvention provide a charging system that can be embedded withinelectronic devices or that can be used to create a mobile chargingstation (which can be used as a standalone product or be integratedwithin a device).

In particular, FIG. 1 shows a plurality 102 of actuators 104 such askeys on a keyboard disposed above an actuator responsive circuit 106such as a keypad circuit. FIG. 1 also shows a plurality 108 ofpiezoelectric components 110. The piezoelectric components 110 compriseone or more piezoelectric materials such as piezoelectric crystals,piezoelectric ceramics, piezoelectric polymers, and the like. In oneembodiment, an actuator responsive circuit provides an output indicatingan operator's selection or pressing of an actuator 104.

Each piezoelectric component 110 within the plurality of piezoelectriccomponents 108 includes one or more contacts 112, 114. In oneembodiment, each piezoelectric component 110 acts independent of anyother piezoelectric component within the plurality of piezoelectriccomponents 108. Many or all of the piezoelectric components 110 of oneembodiment of the present invention are electrically coupled in parallelvia their contacts 112, 114. By electrically coupling severalpiezoelectric components in parallel, each piezoelectric component 110is able to produce energy in response to deformation without beingaffected by failures of another piezoelectric component within theplurality of piezoelectric components 110. The independent structure ofthe plurality of piezoelectric components 108 being wired in parallel,as opposed to in a serial connection, allows for a constant generationof electricity regardless of malfunction of any single piezoelectriccomponent in the system.

In addition to the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, further embodimentsof the present invention are able to be implemented by placing apiezoelectric components beneath, for example, a touch screen whereinthe piezoelectric components are deformed by a user's pressing of thetouchscreen surface. Further embodiments are further able to operatewith a pen to write in a touch screen to depress a screen surface andthereby deform the piezoelectric components. Embodiments of the presentinvention are able to be incorporated into, for example, a mouse orother pointing device wherein one of a plurality of piezoelectriccomponents is deformed by the pressing of a mouse button or other userinput button.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each actuator 104 or actuation area such as,for example, an area of a touch screen, can be associated with one ormore piezoelectric components. In other words, one embodiment of thepresent invention have one or more independent piezoelectric componentscorresponding to an actuator/actuation area as compared to a singlepiezoelectric layer corresponding to all the actuators/actuation areas.Although keyboard keys are illustrated in FIG. 1, it should be notedthat a wide variety of component designs are able to be used as anactuator 104. Any component that is capable of transferring pressurefrom an operator's pressing a surface to a responsive circuit 106 and/ora piezoelectric component 110 is able to be incorporated into thepresent invention. For example, pointing devices, touch screens, astylus/pen, touchpad, and the like and their responsive circuits 106 arealso able to incorporate various embodiments of the present invention.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the piezoelectric components 110are disposed under the actuator responsive circuit 106. However, as isdiscussed in greater detail below, the various embodiments of thepresent invention are able to have piezoelectric components 110 locatedin a variety of locations. As the actuators 104 are displaced from afirst position to a second position by, for example, an operatorpressing the actuator 104, the actuators 104 substantially contact theactuator responsive circuit 106 causing a portion 116 of the responsivecircuit 106 of that embodiment to be displaced, as shown in FIG. 1. Thisdisplacement causes pressure to be exerted on the piezoelectriccomponent 110. This mechanical stress experienced by the piezoelectriccomponent 110 causes the piezoelectric component 110 to generate anelectric potential. The generated electric charge is then conductedacross the contacts 112, 114 to various components requiring power orthe generated electrical charge can be stored. Examples of components towhich the contacts 112, 114 can be electrically coupled include: abattery in order to charge the battery; a removable charge storagedevice that can be removed from the electronic device and used to powerother electronic devices; or other components such as a display,processor, etc., that require energy.

As discussed above, one or more piezoelectric components 110 can beindependent of one or more other piezoelectric components. This allowsfor a more robust piezoelectric based energy supply. For example, if asingle actuator 104 fails/breaks and the corresponding piezoelectriccomponent is coupled to the actuator, only the single actuator and thecorresponding piezoelectric component need to be removed. This iscompared to a configuration that requires the removal of all the keysand the entire piezoelectric substrate (e.g., the plurality ofpiezoelectric components 108) when a single actuator 104 fails/breaks.Similarly, with the various embodiments of the present invention, if asingle piezoelectric component 104 fails only that particular component104 is required to be replaced as compared to the entire piezoelectricsubstrate.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a piezoelectric system 200. Inparticular, FIG. 2 shows a plurality 208 of piezoelectric components 210disposed above an actuator responsive circuit 206. Similar to theembodiment discussed above with respect to FIG. 1 one or more of thepiezoelectric component 210 in the plurality of piezoelectric components208 are independent of one or more of the other piezoelectriccomponents, which provides the advantages discussed above. FIG. 2 alsoshows that each of the piezoelectric components 210 is electricallycoupled in parallel with the other piezoelectric components within theplurality 208 of piezoelectric components via one or more contacts 212.

Each piezoelectric component 210 of one embodiment comprises a via 218that allows at least a portion 216 of a corresponding actuator 204 topass through that corresponding piezoelectric component 210 andsubstantially contact the actuator responsive circuit 206. In oneembodiment, an actuator 204 passing through the via 218 is, for example,mechanically attached to the wall of the via so as to be able totransfer movement of the actuator, such as by a key press, to the viaand thereby deform the corresponding piezoelectric component 210.

As a force (e.g., mechanical stress) is exerted on the actuator 210 tocause at least the portion 216 of the actuator that passes through thevia to deform the piezoelectric component 210, either the portion 216 orone or more portions 220, 222 of the actuator 204 exert a mechanicalstress on the corresponding piezoelectric component 210. As discussedabove, this mechanical stress experienced by the piezoelectric component210 causes the piezoelectric component 210 to generate an electricpotential. The electric charge is then conducted across the contacts 212and is delivered to various components using or storing that power.

FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment of a piezoelectric system 300. Inparticular, FIG. 3 shows a first plurality 308 of piezoelectriccomponents 310 disposed above an actuator responsive circuit 306 and asecond plurality 324 of piezoelectric components 326 disposed below theactuator responsive circuit 306. In one embodiment, the eachpiezoelectric component 310 in the first plurality 308 comprises a via318 similar to that discussed above with respect to FIG. 2, whereas thesecond plurality 324 of piezoelectric components 324 can be configuredas a film system (e.g., no vias) similar to the system discussed abovewith respect to FIG. 1. It should be noted that although only two layersof piezoelectric components are shown in FIG. 3 any number ofpiezoelectric component layers with any configurations such as a viaconfiguration or a film configuration are applicable to the variousembodiments of the present invention.

Similar to the embodiments discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2one or more of the piezoelectric components 310, 326 in the first andsecond pluralities of piezoelectric components 308, 324 are independentof one or more of the other piezoelectric components, which provides theadvantages discussed above. FIG. 3 also shows that each of thepiezoelectric components 308, 326 is electrically coupled in parallelwith the other piezoelectric components via one or more contacts 312,328. In one embodiment, the contacts 312 of the first plurality 308 ofpiezoelectric components 310 are electrically coupled to the secondplurality 324 of piezoelectric components 326. As discussed above, thecontacts 312, 328 can be coupled to an energy supply such as arechargeable battery or a removable energy supply that be charged usingthe piezoelectric system 300 and used to provide power to one or moreother electronic devices.

The vias 318 of the piezoelectric components 310 of the first pluralityallow at least a portion 316 of a corresponding actuator 304 to passthrough its corresponding piezoelectric component 310 and substantiallycontact the actuator responsive circuit 306. The actuator 304 of oneembodiment is mechanically attached to the via 318. As a force (e.g.,mechanical stress) is exerted on the actuator 310 to cause at least theportion 316 of the actuator 304 to deform the piezoelectric components310 by moving the via 318, this portion 316 (or one or more otherportions 320, 322) of the actuator 304 exerts a mechanical stress on thecorresponding piezoelectric component 310. As discussed above, thismechanical stress experienced by the piezoelectric component 310 causesthe piezoelectric component 310 to generate an electric potential. Theelectric charge is then conducted across the contacts 312 to variouscomponents using or storing power.

In addition, the mechanical stress exerted by the actuators 304generates a stress at the second plurality 324 of piezoelectriccomponents 326. This stress experienced by the piezoelectric components326 of the second plurality 324 causes the piezoelectric components 326to also generate an electric potential. The electric charge is thenconducted across the contacts 328 to various components requiring poweror can be stored. Therefore, the piezoelectric system 300 of FIG. 3 isable to generate a larger quantity of energy than the systems of FIGS. 1and 2.

As can be seen from the discussion above, the various embodiments of thepresent invention provide piezoelectric systems that are able togenerate energy from mechanical stress that is induced by, for example,a person's operation of a keyboard or other input device. Thepiezoelectric components of one embodiment of the present invention areindependent of each other, and therefore, can be replaced individuallyas compared to having to replace the entire piezoelectric array. Thepiezoelectric systems discussed above can be integrated into a largersystem or product, or they can be implemented as a unique product.

It should be understood that the above described embodiments are onlyexamples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachingsherein. In general, statements made in the specification of the presentapplication do not necessarily limit any of the various claimedinventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventivefeatures but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated,singular elements may be in the plural and vice versa with no loss ofgenerality.

The circuit as described above is part of the design for an integratedcircuit chip. The chip design is created in a graphical computerprogramming language, and stored in a computer storage medium (such as adisk, tape, physical hard drive, or virtual hard drive such as in astorage access network). If the designer does not fabricate chips or thephotolithographic masks used to fabricate chips, the designer transmitsthe resulting design by physical means (e.g., by providing a copy of thestorage medium storing the design) or electronically (e.g., through theInternet) to such entities, directly or indirectly. The stored design isthen converted into the appropriate format (e.g., GDSII) for thefabrication of photolithographic masks, which typically include multiplecopies of the chip design in question that are to be formed on a wafer.The photolithographic masks are utilized to define areas of the wafer(and/or the layers thereon) to be etched or otherwise processed.

The method as described above is used in the fabrication of integratedcircuit chips. The resulting integrated circuit chips can be distributedby the fabricator in raw wafer form (that is, as a single wafer that hasmultiple unpackaged chips), as a bare chip, or in a packaged form. Inthe latter case, the chip is mounted in a single chip package (such as aplastic carrier, with leads that are affixed to a motherboard or otherhigher level carrier) or in a multichip package (such as a ceramiccarrier that has either or both surface interconnections or buriedinterconnections). In any case, the chip is then integrated with otherchips, discrete circuit elements, and/or other signal processing devicesas part of either (a) an intermediate product, such as a motherboard, or(b) an end product. The end product can be any product that includesintegrated circuit chips, ranging from toys and other low-endapplications to advanced computer products having a display, a keyboard,or other input device, and a central processor.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed,those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes canbe made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to berestricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it isintended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications,modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A piezoelectric based energy supply comprising: aplurality of mechanical actuators able to be displaced through operationby an operator from a first position and a second position; a pluralityof independent piezoelectric components disposed below the plurality ofactuators, each independent piezoelectric component within the pluralityof independent piezoelectric components being associated with at leastone respective actuator in the plurality of actuators and adapted to bedeformed by displacement of the at least one respective actuator withinthe plurality of actuators from a first position and a second position;an actuator responsive circuit disposed below the plurality of actuatorsand above the plurality of independent piezoelectric components, whereinat least a portion of the actuator responsive circuit is configured toexert pressure one on or more of the plurality of independentpiezoelectric components based on one or more of the plurality ofmechanical actuators being displaced; and an electrical couplerelectrically coupling each of the plurality of independent piezoelectriccomponents.
 2. The piezoelectric based energy supply of claim 1, furthercomprising: at least one rechargeable energy supply electrically coupledto the electrical coupler.
 3. The piezoelectric based energy supply ofclaim 1, further comprising: a plurality of contacts conductivelyconnected to each independent piezoelectric component within theplurality of piezoelectric components, the plurality of contacts adaptedto conduct an electric potential generated in response to mechanicalstress upon at least one independent piezoelectric component.
 4. Thepiezoelectric based energy supply of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of independent piezoelectric components is electricallycoupled in parallel.
 5. A method of piezoelectric energy generation, themethod comprising: providing a plurality of mechanical actuators able tobe displaced through operation by an operator from a first position anda second position; providing a plurality of independent piezoelectriccomponents disposed below the plurality of actuators, each independentpiezoelectric component within the plurality of independentpiezoelectric components being associated with at least one respectiveactuator in the plurality of actuators and adapted to be deformed bydisplacement of the at least one respective actuator within theplurality of actuators from a first position and a second position;providing an electrical coupler electrically coupling each of theplurality of independent piezoelectric components; providing an actuatorresponsive circuit disposed below the plurality of actuators and abovethe plurality of independent piezoelectric components, wherein at leasta portion of the actuator responsive circuit is configured to exertpressure one on or more of the plurality of independent piezoelectriccomponents based on one or more of the plurality of mechanical actuatorsbeing displaced; and displacing at least one actuator so as to deform arespective independent piezoelectric component associated with the atleast one actuator.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:providing at least one rechargeable energy supply electrically coupledto the electrical coupler, the at least one rechargeable.
 7. The methodof claim 5, further comprising: providing a plurality of contactsconductively connected to each independent piezoelectric componentwithin the plurality of piezoelectric components, the plurality ofcontacts adapted to conduct an electric potential generated in responseto mechanical stress upon at least one independent piezoelectriccomponent.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality ofindependent piezoelectric components are electrically coupled inparallel.
 9. A piezoelectric based energy supply comprising: a pluralityof mechanical actuators able to be displaced through operation by anoperator from a first position and a second position; a first pluralityof independent piezoelectric components disposed below the plurality ofactuators; a second plurality of independent piezoelectric componentsdisposed below the first plurality of independent piezoelectriccomponents, wherein each independent piezoelectric component within thefirst plurality of independent piezoelectric components is associatedwith at least one respective actuator in the plurality of actuators andadapted to be deformed by displacement of the at least one respectiveactuator within the plurality of actuators from a first position and asecond position, and wherein each independent piezoelectric componentwithin the second plurality of independent piezoelectric components isassociated with at least one respective piezoelectric component in thefirst plurality of independent piezoelectric components and adapted tobe deformed by the at least one respective piezoelectric when the atleast one respective piezoelectric is deformed by displacement of the atleast one respective actuator within the plurality of actuators from afirst position and a second position; a first electrical couplerelectrically coupling each of the plurality of independent piezoelectriccomponents; and a second electrical coupler electrically coupling eachof the plurality of independent piezoelectric components to each otherand to the first plurality of piezoelectric components.
 10. Thepiezoelectric based energy supply of claim 9, further comprising: atleast one rechargeable energy supply electrically coupled to at leastone of the first electrical coupler and the second electrical coupler.11. The piezoelectric based energy supply of claim 9, furthercomprising: a first plurality of contacts conductively connected to eachindependent piezoelectric component within the first plurality ofpiezoelectric components and a second plurality of contacts conductivelyconnected to each independent piezoelectric component within the secondplurality of piezoelectric components, the first plurality of contactsand the second plurality of contacts adapted to conduct an electricpotential generated in response to mechanical stress upon at least oneindependent piezoelectric component.
 12. The piezoelectric based energysupply of claim 9, wherein each of the first plurality of independentpiezoelectric components and the second plurality of independentpiezoelectric components are electrically coupled in parallel.